The American Dairy Goat Association’s judges are licensed under a rigorous program of training and certification.
It is recommended to have the current Guidebook available during training. View the 2026 ADGA Guidebook Online.
Here’s a breakdown of the basic program and the information needed:
| GUIDE TO AN ADGA JUDGE’S LICENSE There are several steps to becoming licensed to judge dairy goats at an officially sanctioned ADGA show. This involves achieving a basic knowledge by attending a Pre-Judge’s Training Conference and then attending a Judge’s Training Conference and passing a series of four basic tests of proficiency. Pre-Judges Training Conference This program is for breeders, youth, and judge candidates. It consists of a full day of instruction. It has a prescribed content that includes the parts of the goat, scorecards, terminology, breed standards, defects, oral reasons, judging techniques, and ethics. Training Conference The Training Conference is a more formalized program of training and testing of judge candidates. A specified fee is charged for the program, as set by the Judge’s Training Committee. There is one day of training and one day of testing, which includes a written test, the placement of eight classes of live animals, and the presentation of oral reasons to evaluate a candidate’s accuracy and presentation skills. These tests must be passed at specific standards of performance in order for a license to be granted. For lesser fees, the TC may also be taken as an auditor or as a spectator, though these two classifications will not result in licensure. Licensing There are several levels of licensure. Successful new candidates start with a one-year Apprentice License. At renewal, an apprentice may retain an Apprentice License or advance to a two-year license based on the qualifying scores earned. From the two-year level, a four-year license can be achieved at renewal by meeting the required qualifying scores. After this, with continuous renewal and licensure of at least 13 years, an Advanced License may be achieved. Advanced Judges renew on a four-year cycle through the approved seminar or alternative renewal method described in Article XIV. | ADGA Judges Training Materials: Becoming an ADGA Judge Judge Preparation Checklist So You Are Going To Be a Judge Eligibility, Certification & Obligations Pre Judges Training Conference (Pre-TC) Pre-TC Lesson Materials Training Conferences What to expect at a TC Dairy Goat Structure and Function The Parts of the Goat The Ideal Type ADGA Unified Scorecard Applications of the Unified Scorecard General Defects – Summary General Defects – Discussion The breed standards Breed Specific Defects-Summary Breed specific defects – discussion Disqualifications -Summary and Discussion Judging Dairy Goats Reasons Terminology Reasons Tutorial Practice Class 6 Yearling LaMancha Milkers Practice Class 7 3-Year Old Alpine Milkers Practice Class 8 3-Year Old LaMancha Milkers Practice Class 9 4-Year Old Nubian Milkers Pictures for practice reasons Maturation Profiles Judging Males Judging Groups Showmanship Scorecard |
Resources in the ADGA Guidebook (page numbers reference the online guidebook and may be different in the printed version)
A-Judging Dairy Goats – Article XIII, p. 125
1-Written Reasons Practice Sheet – Section D, p. 136
2-Guide for Judges of Dairy Goat Showmanship – Section H, p. 146
3-Judging of 4-H Grooming and Showmanship – Section I, p. 147
B-Rules Governing the Conduct of Official Shows – Article XII, p. 103
1-Rules Governing Show Officials and Judges – Section C, p. 107
2-Definitions – Section N, p. 123
3-Arrangement of Classes and Making Awards – Section E, p. 110
4-Junior Doe Shows, Junior Division Classes and Championships (Does & Bucks) – Section F, p. 112
5-Senior Doe Shows, Senior Division Class and Championships (Does & Bucks) – Section G, p. 112
6-Selecting the Grand Champion (Does & Bucks) – Section H, p. 113
7-Selecting the Reserve Grand Champion (Does & Bucks) – Section I, p. 113
8-Measuring the Nigerian Dwarf Breed – Appendix, p. 191
9-Winning a Leg Toward Championship – Section J, p. 113
10-Official Report of Awards – Section K, p. 118
11-Reports – Section L, p. 120
12-Complaints and Penalties – Section M, p. 122
13-Code of Ethics for Exhibitors and Show Committees – Section O, p. 125
14-Electronic Identification – Appendix, p. 198
C-Official Judges – Article XIV, p. 148
1-Pledge of Eligibility and Ethics for Judges – Section E, p. 156
2-Complaints, Hearings, and Enforcement Procedures – Section G, p. 159
3-Standards of Attire and Appearance – Section H, p. 161
4-Judges Recognition Program – Section F, p. 158